Hypnotized by Love

by Sariah Wilson

noticed that Mason was smiling at me and sort of hugging

Like it broke something fundamental in me at an important developmental stage. There’s probably a part of me that always keeps a wall up with everyone for that reason.”

“One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is about forgiveness. For ourselves and for others. For some reason, we see forgiving someone as a weakness or a failing.”

“It doesn’t mean you have to forget or condone what happened. It doesn’t even mean you have to ever speak to or see that person again. But forgiving someone means you don’t let them control you any longer. You get to replace all the heavy, negative feelings that weigh you down and focus on your own well-being instead. Bridget can’t undo this. Neither one of you can change what happened, but you get the choice to change how you relate to it.”